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REPRINT FROM 

THE 1912 HAWKEYE 

THE JUNIOR ANNUAL 

PUBLISHED BY THE CLASS OF 1912 

AT 

THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA 

IOWA CITY, IOWA 

MAY, 1911 




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fflrt&xbimt MutlHtun^ ^Resignation 



This year sees the conclusion of the official duties of another of the Iowa 
State University's Presidents. Last January, President MacLean filed his 
resignation with the Educational Board, the resignation to take effect at the 
end of the present school year. 

The Presidency of Mr. MacLean has been an epoch maker in the history 
of this Institution — an epoch begun with the flimsiest chance for success, but 
closed with record breaking results. Our University has had for its head during 
the past twelve years, a strong educational leader ranking among the best 
in this country and not unknown among them. 

George E. MacLean was a country boy born in Connecticut about sixty years 
ago, and reared in the beautiful Berkshire Hills of Massachusetts. His father 
was descended from Highland chiefs and barons and his mother from yeoman 
Saxon and Norman stock. They were parents who sacrificed that their chil- 
dren might have a college education. Mr. MacLean prepared for college in 
Westfield Academy and Williston Seminary, saving a year's time and entering 
Williams at sixteen, one of the youngest men in his class. The best year im 
his education, he is wont to say, was his thirteenth year as a clerk in his father's 
store. He worked his way in part through college by being a steward of his 
fraternity, D. K. E., and by canvassing for books in vacation. 

At Williams, he was among the leaders in student activities, an officer 
in a literary society and natural history society, editor of Williams' Quarterly 
and Ivy orator. He took the first prize in oratory, and was graduated in 1871 
as an honor man, the third in his class, having received the Phi Beta Kappa 
key at the end of the junior year. His was the last class graduated under the 
full presidency -of Mark Hopkins, whose aim was to teach his students to think 
for themselves. 

Leaving Williams, he went at once to Yale, entering the Divinity School, 
taking graduate work, and finished with the degree of B. D. in '74. A week 
after his graduation he was married to Miss Clara Stanley Taylor, of Great 
Barrington, Mass., a student of Mt. Holyoke. Following his marriage, he took 
up the pastorate in a pre-revolutionary union Congregational and Presbyterian 
church in New Lebanon, N. Y., the homestead of Samuel J. Tilden, then Gov- 
ernor of New York, who largely built a manse for the young MacLeans. 

It was now that he began to unfold his wonderful potentiality that was 
to work for higher education and religious uplift. He was a tireless stu- 
dent and his efforts were not without recognition. It was not long before he 
was called from New Lebanon to the pastorate of the Memorial Presbyterian 



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Church at Troy, N. Y., where a new edifice was built under his pastorate. But 
wishing to continue the studies by which he believed he could best fit himself 
for his life's work, Mr. MacLean left this pastorate in 1881, and, accompanied 
by Mrs. MacLean, he went to Europe, where he studied at the Universities of 
Berlin, Cambridge, Oxford, and took his Ph. D. at Leipzig. His dissertation 
was a contribution to knowledge in Anglo-Saxon. 

Returning from Europe after his graduation from Leipzig, he became 
head of the Department of English Language and Literature at the University 
of Minnesota, from whence after a dozen years, he was called to the Chancellor- 
ship of the University of Nebraska. His administration in that University 
was marked by the securing from the Legislature a one mill tax for the support 
of the University, one of the first and largest millage taxes secured; by the 
founding of the School of Agriculture, by the raising of standards, and the 
erection of buildings. 

It was at this time that the Board of Regents of the Iowa University, recog- 
nizing this "strong man of the west" and realizing that he was just the sort 
of an organizer and a "pusher" that Iowa needed, extended a call to him in 
1899 to become President of the Iowa University, which Mr. MacLean accepted. 
A Nebraska paper, seeking a reason for Dr. MacLean 's accepting a call to Iowa, 
said, ' ' It was his lust for work. ' ' 

His twelve year term of office is the longest of the eight presidents and forms 
a brilliant epoch in the history of the University. ' ' Giving honor to whom honor 
is due", to the Regents, faculties, alumni and students, he is wont to adapt the 
phrase to this period of Avonderful University progress, "There is glory enough 
for all". As an idealist when he assumed leadership, he was considered by many 
as a rainbow chaser. But the results prove him to be unquestionably a practical 
idealist — an idealist of firm convictions, with purposive endeavors, backed by 
foresight and diplomacy that have stirred the admiration of all who have known 
of his great work here at the University. 

When he came to Iowa he found that the University with fine classical 
traditions had been starved. The first problem under the new regime was to 
secure appropriations, a labor in which the President was at once made a leader, 
and he proved to be a good leader too. Up until this time the Legislature had 
paid little attention to the University, permitting it to get along the best way 
it could on the meagre and insufficient appropriations. It was a hard task to 
convince the Legislature and Board of Regents that the University needed new 
and better buildings and equipment, larger and more efficient faculty. But 
MacLean was not afraid. He immediately began and has continued to pursue 
that task with his characteristic fearlessness and loyalty, and this is what has 
been accomplished under his administration. 

The income has been more than tripled, rising from $188,000 in 1898-9 to 
$586,000 in 1909-10. Twice the scale of salaries has been advanced. Private 
munificence has been persuaded to supplement the bounty of the State to the 
extent of gifts amounting to more than $160,000, the largest being those of A. 
Whitney Carr of Jordan, N. Y., whom President MacLean sought out, and that 
of Mrs. Mark Ranney. In 1902 the millage tax for buildings was doubled. At 
the time of his election the University had twelve cheap brick buildings, except- 



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ing the old stone Capitol, the total value of which was estimated at $612,000. 
There are now twenty-four important buildings, or twenty-six with the addi- 
tion of the Hall of Physics and the Hospital Extension now under construction, 
aggregating in value $1,800,000 — more than a building a year, and most of 
them fireproof and of stone, and in a harmonious style of architecture. 

The Old Capitol Campus and Hospital Park, with the Observatory Lot, 
comprised the land holdings of the University in Iowa City when he came. 
The ten acres have been multiplied by five and an ultimate campus beautiful, 
under the advice of the famous landscape architects, Olmstead Brothers of Bos- 
ton, begins to appear. The public, impressed by the material growth of the 
University, has not yet realized the success of President MacLean and his col- 
leagues in the greater growth of the educational side of the institution. The 
standards both of admission and of graduation, have been brought up to those 
of the twenty-two leading and representative American Universities in the As- 
sociation of American Universities, which recognized the University of Iowa's 
progress by making it a member two years ago. This movement for standards 
was demanded by the school men of the State and begun earlier than and inde- 
pendent of the Carnegie Foundation. 

When Mr. MacLean became President, no college of the University was of 
collegiate rank, as judged by its entrance requirements. Today there is but one 
college of the University which requires for admission less than four full years 
of high school work, and the colleges of medicine require two years of collegiate 
study for admission. In addition to advancing entrance requirements, the Col- 
lege of Law has lengthened its course from two to three years, the colleges of 
medicine from four years of seven months to four years of nine months each, 
the College of Dentistry from three years of seven months to three years of 
nine, the College of Pharmacy from one year of seven months to two years of 
nine months. The University's work and degrees, therefore, now have recogni- 
tion throughout the world. It is interesting to note that out of the 8,792 alumni 
of the University, 3,754 have received their degrees from President MacLean. 

The Summer Session, established in 1900, was an important extension of 
the University in the special service of the teachers of the State, and for grad- 
uate work. Six schools and colleges have been established under his adminis- 
tration. The Summer School for Library Training came in conjunction with the 
Iowa Library Commission. The Graduate College was founded in 1900, thus the 
University proper stands for advanced research work, and by the establishment 
of fellowships and scholarships, a certain number of colleges of the State can 
come to Iowa equipped with every modern convenience and carry on their 
research work. The School of Political and Social Science and Commerce, organ- 
ized in 1900, was one of the earliest in the country to meet a rising demand 
of the public. The same year the Department of Public Speaking was estab- 
lished, which has borne abundant fruit in debating and oratorical victories in 
conjunction with the literary societies. The School of Applied Science, estab- 
lished in 1904, rapidly developed into the College of Applied Science. In 1906 
the School of Music was established ; and in 1907 the School of Education. An- 
other organization for which Mr. MacLean must be remembered is the Alumni 
Bureau. When he came to Iowa the University had between four and five 



thousand alumni. Mr. MacLean, a graduate of Williams College that had the 
first organization in the United States of the alumni of a college, felt that the 
alumni could upbuild such an institution. He persuaded the alumni to adopt 
in the main the system which had been found so useful in Michigan of having 
an alumni bureau and an organ known as The Alumnus. 

Upon President MacLean 's accession, a plan for the administration of the 
University was requested by the Regents and central offices were established. 
The following administrative chiefs were appointed: The Superintendent of 
Grounds, Buildings and Construction, the University Examiner, the Registrar, 
the Inspector of Schools, the University Editor, and the Dean of "Women. 

Thus the institution began to take on a resemblance to a real university. 
But President MacLean did not stop here. There were other things to be done 
that were important to a true University; details must be worked out. The 
different colleges were independent of each other. There was no united feeling 
among them; each was a separate and distinct organization. President Mac- 
Lean realized that there could be no true University until these departments 
were linked together, and the unification of these independent schools into a 
genuine University was one of the first aims of President MacLean. 

In 1900 each College had its own commencement but these were soon re- 
placed by one great University Commencement. The professional schools, which 
originated largely in private schools and enterprises, with something of the com- 
mercial spirit, have been transformed into standard schools and put upon a level 
with the old College of Liberal Arts. At the beginning, it was expected that 
these schools would pay for themselves, and perhaps give a profit. Now it is 
understood that they must have large appropriations and professors in residence 
instead of part time practitioners. The accomplished unification of the institu- 
tion organically appears in the development of the University Senate as a gen- 
eral faculty, exercising full powers with reference to matters of common interest. 
Administrative unity was sought by forming the Board of Deans and the other 
Senate Boards, several of them with student representatives. The common Uni- 
versity Assembly and even an annual democratic dinner, where all students 
and faculties meet, indicate the accomplishment of the unification. 

In athletics, President MacLean has ever been a true and loyal supporter; 
with her internal development started, Iowa was able to reach out and demand 
recognition from schools that had previously scorned her because of her small- 
ness and weakness. During Mr. MacLean 's stay here, the University has gained 
admission to the Big Eight, has become a charter member of the Missouri Con- 
ference, and has done much to raise the standards of athletics. 

As a pupil of Mark Hopkins, President MacLean has ever emphasized the 
importance of personal worth and personal contact. In the long list of dis- 
tinguished professors and instructors, added to the faculty, this principle has 
played a part as well as the principle that these men should have the most 
thorough preparation and an education at least equivalent to that required for 
a Ph. D., and also with a recognition of the power of research as proved by pub- 
lications and successful leadership in teaching. Personal contact with students 
has been sought in the larger College of Liberal Arts, especially by the estab- 
lishment of a system of advisers and forming small groups of a dozen students 



or so for each adviser. The modern recognition of the social element side by 
side with the scholastic in education has brought about the adoption of certain 
social regulations. 

The student board of delegates, consisting of representatives from all peren- 
nial student organizations, including class presidents, was an attempt upon the 
part of President MacLean to secure the active counsels of the students. Though 
this board has become defunct, the class officers and the spirit of it in connec- 
tion with the general encouragement of a wide range of student activities, have 
brought out without organization a certain practical cooperation of the stu- 
dents with the faculties in the government of the institution. Their mission has 
been in no small share filled by the Greater University Committee. This com- 
mittee sprang up spontaneously among the students when they awakened to 
an appreciation of the work of their Alma Mater. 

The discipline has been in the later years admirable. A sponsor system 
for the fraternities and sororities has aided much with reference to these 
organized groups. Thus there has been an all round development within the 
University. 

Closely allied are the ethical and religious elements. The earlier work of 
the University Y. M. and Y. W. C. A. has been supplemented by the organi- 
zation of the Iowa City Religious Education Committee, uniting all religious 
organizations and churches in common work for the students, and even affecting 
the giving of University credit for certain voluntary courses in religion. This 
movement has prepared the way for the students' pastor, for which certain great 
communions have already made provision at the University. 

In season and out of season, President MacLean has preached the doctrine 
that the University must serve the public welfare outside its gates. The earlier 
accrediting of schools without uniform inspection has developed into a stimu- 
lating system for the high schools through the appointment of a high school 
inspector. The Colleges of the State cooperated and now the State Board of 
Education has made the inspector one for the three institutions, and has devel- 
oped a common code through a committee from the three institutions. The 
schools of the State have been further served by the department of psychology. 
The state bacteriological laboratory and the hospitals have been developed for 
the service of the whole State. University extension along modern lines has 
been urged, and was approved by the Thirty-Third General Assembly, though 
the work halts at present for lack of funds. 

The professors and President by publications, addresses and membership in 
learned societies have done much to secure nation-wide and international recog- 
nition for this University. President MacLean has been honored with official 
positions in a number of the twenty or thirty learned societies, patriotic orders 
and clubs, of which he is a member. He has contributed a number of books 
and many printed articles and addresses, especially in the field of English and 
education. The attendance of students from without Iowa, and the existence of 
the Cosmopolitan Club with students from other countries are noteworthy. The 
steady increase of attendance of students, by which the numbers at the institu- 
tion have doubled in his administration accompanied by the increase of the 
staff of instruction from 103 to 288, prove that the aim has been accomplished. 



These in resume have been the accomplishments of the University during Mr. 
MacLean 's presidency ; these have been the results of twelve long years of pains- 
taking, careful and noble work. He came to the University when it was yet 
in its infancy. With his keen insight he saw the needs for its better develop- 
ment, and like a master, he has gone ahead, picking out the best path, turning 
aside obstacles, until now, when he is leaving Iowa, he can see her a ' ' grown-up ' ' 
dignified institution and able to rank among the leading educational institutions 
of the country. And all accomplished in twelve years: a great work of a 
great man. His task was not an easy one; the period following infancy is an 
unruly one for the parent; the child is full of temper, has its own possibilities 
which it wishes to work out, and it is during this time that a strong guiding 
hand is essential. Iowa has had that guiding hand through her period of tran- 
sition and always has that guiding hand worked for the good of the University. 
Although confronted with countless difficulties, never has Mr. MacLean let 
them hide from him those ideals and purposes for which he stood. Never has 
he retracted; ever cordial, always kind and sympathetic; with warmest and 
sincerest welcome ; never too occupied to help a student or friend in trouble ; 
never too indifferent to give a kindly suggestion or advice; most pleasing and 
affable of hosts; broad in his views; firm in his convictions, exact in his judg- 
ments ; a knower of men — such are the distinctions of a great and noble man — 
such are the characteristics of our President MacLean. Iowa has been the 
better for your coming, Iowa will miss you when you leave. To you, President 
MacLean, we the University, bid "Good Bye", and may fortune favor you as 
nobly and generously as you have induced her to favor Iowa. 



[From the Iowa Alumnus, June, 1911] 

In appreciation of your long and loyal service, builded stone-like into the 
'structure of S. U. I., we give you, sir, God speed. Twelve years ago you came in 
the true spirit of ministry. For an institution already great and strong you 
brought a vision that steadily beyond impediment saw stronger, greater things. 
You came in the spirit of hopeful prophecy. You came with a wholesome optim- 
■ism and cheer that brooked no discouragement and knew no gloom. You came 
with a purpose that was tireless, sprung from no sudden elation, but grounded 
in a wide experience of institutions and of men. You brought the scholar's 
mind, minute in inspection, sane in judgment, and large in comprehension. 

You brought the best traditions of New England's life and culture finely 
united with the more rugged, strenuous life and culture of the west. 

Through the years of your service, in the pulpit, on the platform, and in the 
greatest learned and literary counsels of the nation you have been the eloquent 
voice of S. U. I. The many honors and distinctions you have won you have 
brought as tributes to the honor of the University. 

In the execution of your official duties you have displayed determination 
combined with courtesy. In the grapple with difficulty you have shown a spirit 
as fine as spring steel. In the opposition that is almost sure to come from time 
to time in years of long service you have shown the unflinching heart of a captain. 
Tempering the soberer, sterner duties of control, you brought a spirit of genial 
cameraderie complete, a deference to feeling and occasion that is courtly, and 
through it all the character of a Christian gentleman. 

You came to your mission with a devotion that was absolute, and in the 
fulfillment of your vision you wrought by day and night with an energy that 
was unremitting, and that spared neither your own interests nor your own 
strength. 

This personality you brought and dedicated to the development of the 
University. In the administration of the past twelve years the state recognizes 
the realization of your purpose. Greater ! the word belongs to buildings, equip- 
ment, standards, policies, and recognition, as measured by your term of service. 

For the growth of such an institution there can be no constant. There may 
be no ultimate Greatest University. The University will grow still greater as the 
years go by; but the era of your administration will remain as a monument of 
your ideals and fine courage. 

In grateful recognition of your ability, fealty and devotion, as you now go 
on, perhaps, to wider fields, as you take up, it may be, still larger duties, we bid 
you, Mr. President, God speed. 






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